Adjustable table top



March 14-, 1950 D. GREENE 2,500,542

ADJUSTABLE TABLE TOP Filed July 11, 1946 INVENTOR DfiV/D GREENE Patented Mar. 14, 1950 David Greene, Brooklyn, N. 'Y., assignor to Esmco Auto Products Corporation, Brooklyn, N. Y., a. corporation of New York Application July 11, 1946, Serial No. (i82,829

This invention relates to tables of the type and kindsometimes classified as bed-tables, useable for purpose in adjusting the height of a table as well as the degree of inclination of the table top. More particularly, the invention deals with articles'of the character described wherein meansis provided for forming pivotal supports at each side of a supporting frame for a Claims. (01. 311-47) table top so that either'side portion may function v as a pivot in moving the table into inclined positions, and further in retaining the table top against pivotal or swinging movement. Still more particularly, the invention deals with a common lock link for supporting the table in different angular positions on either of its pivots. Still more particularly, the invention deals with a table structure having a single manually operated means in what may be termed the leg or base frame for retaining the table supporting in 1, and on a. reducedscale.

Fig. 3 is an. end view ofv the table on a reduced scale'showing the table. swinging on one of its pivots in full lines, and on theother pivot, indot and dash lines.

4. is a section on the line i4 of Fig. l, on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 5 is a section substantially on the lin of Fig. 2, on an enlarged, scale, with part of the construction broken away.

Fig. 6 is a section looking in the, direction of thearrows 55-6 of Fig. 2, with part of the construction broken away and in section; and

Fig. 7 is a section on the line- 'I--'!. of Fig. 3, on an enlarged scale.

My improved table structure comprises two substantially similar frames, namely a base orleg frame iii, and a top or table frame H. The frame it has a .U-shaped base portion [2,. the ends of which terminate in upwardly extending tubular supports iii-43' joined and braced by a cross strap M, as clearly seen in Fig.2 of the drawing. The frame H has an upper U-shaped table supporting portion I5, the ends of which a 2 is a perspective view of the table as: seen terminate in downwardly extending tubular portions IE" and it telescoping in the portions i.l3-" in vertical adjustment '.of the frames one with respect to the other in adjusting the height of a table H with respect to a predetermined surface.

The tubular portions 13-43 have adjacent their upper ends, apertures l8, note Fig. 6, and the tubular portions IBI6 have vertically spaced apertures i9 adapted to register with the spect to the other.

Inner adjacent ends of the rods 20-40 are pivoted to a crank plate 2| which in turn is rotatably mounted in the strap M- by the axis portion 22 of a handle 23. The axis portion 22 has a coil spring 24 arranged thereon, one end of which is secured to the plate M and the other to the strap M. The spring is so tensioned as to normally support the rods 20 and 2| in operative position, as shown in Fig. 6. .By rotating the handle member 23 in the direction of the arrow 25. of Fig. 6, both rods 2a and-2B are simultaneously drawn out of engagement with the apertures l9, thus freeing the frame II for rela-' tive. adjustment with respect. to the frame 10..

.Struck out from the strap [4 are two rod guiding cars 26 and. 26 having large apertures 21 and '21 to compensate for swinging movement of the rodswwhile maintaining. the rods at all times in alinement with the apertures l8. and I9 when in registering, position. Joining the tubular portions lfii$ of the frame ii. is. a strap 28 having an elongated aperture 29 in one wall of which is formed a series of longitudinally spaced notches: 30. table topll is an L-shaped bracket 3| to which is pivoted, as seen at 32., a'lock link 33. The link 33" carries at its. lower end a. short shaft 34- having a fingerpiece or button end 35, the shank 36- of which normally fills: the full width of. the slot 29,.including the notch offset 30,.note Fig. 4*.

The pin 3.4 is of. reduced: diameter and pro- I trudes beyond. the inner end. of the link 33 and has a head 3'! at its inner end. Between this head and the link v33 is mounted a coil spring 38 normally supporting the parts in. the operative position shown. in Fig. 4. Whenit is desired to adjust the table top, the fingerpiece 35 is moved in the direction of the arrow 39, Fig. 4, bringing the pin 34 into the slot 29, thus allowing the pin to move longitudinally of the slot.- 29. in adjusting the position of; the lever and the re- Secured to. one end of the.

suiting angular position of the table I1, one raised position of the table being shown in Fig. 3 in full lines in swinging the table on the pivot side 40 and in another position in dot-dash lines in swinging the table on the pivot side 4|.

The pivot sides of the table are formed by channelled strips 42-42. These strips extend a substantial length of the table sides and havea short outer side 43 -43' notched centrally thereof, as indicated at 44-44, and a long inner side 4545' having an elongated aperture 46-46.

The cross head portion of the channel strips 42-42 are cut out or recessed centrally, as seen at 414l to receive a lock and pivot forming bar 48 slidable over the lower surface of the table II. The bar 48 has inturned U-shaped ends 49-49, 56-40 of which are adapted to pass into and through the apertures 46-46 and to form in conjunction with the channel strips 42-42, pivot portions, or housings for the side rods til-| ofthe table supporting part [5 of the frame H. The end portions 59-50 of the bar 48 have upwardly struck b eads 5252' adapted to engage, the rods 5l-5l' in retaining the table I! in a neutral locked position upon the frame 11 and against pivotal or swinging movement when the device is utilized to maintain a flat table top. This position'of the parts is indicated in Fig. 5;

In forming the pivot sides, as at -4] of Fig. 3, the bar 48 is moved across the table to pass the endill through the aperture 46 in the one instance or the end 50 through the aperture in the other instance, in which operation, the beads 52'52' frictionally passover the bars 5l5l'. In other words, when the end closes the channel 42 to form the pivot housing, as at 40, the end 56' is drawn free of the channel 42', leaving the bar 5i free to move out of the channel, as the side 53 of the table H is raised, as shownin full lines in Fig. 3. In the dotted line position of Fig. 3, the table side 54 is raised, the channel 42 is opened and the channel 42' is closed. It will thus be seen that in a simple back and forth sliding movement of the bar 48, either pivot ill-4| can be produced or the neutral position of'Fig. 5 can be attained. In either pivot of the table top, the one brace and lock link 33 retains the table in the different positions of adjustment and also aids in retaining the table in the lowered or neutral position, the link 33 being then in the position shown in Fig. 2. Fromthe foregoing, it will be apparent that a very simple and economical structure is provided in producing the double pivotal mounting of the table top and in retaining the table top in its different positions of adjustment.- Whereas 'a single one motion control is provided in releasing the frame I i for adjustment with respect to the frame Ill. It will also appear that the sides '53 and 54 of the table have raised cleats 55 and 56 to form supports for books, papers or other articles while the table top is in its different angular positions, and in these respects and in the use of the table, these sides may be alternately'considered as front and rear sides so either side can be a front or rear, depending upon the pivotal mounting.

Having fully described my invention, what I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a table of the class described employing a'base having a table supporting frame, said frame having spaced parallel rails, a table memthe inwardly directed end portionsber arranged upon the table frame, said table member having a pair of elongated channels adapted to receive said spaced parallel rails of said table frame, the channels having wide side wall members, said wide side wall members having transversely alined apertures therein, a pivot forming bar slidably mounted on the table member and keyed to said channels, and said bar having hook-shaped ends movable through the apertures in said walls of the channels in form- .ing in conjunction with the channels pivotal supports for the table member upon either of said rails.

2. In a table of. the class described employing a base having a table supporting frame, said frame having spaced parallel rails, a table member arranged upon theftable frame, said table membem having a pair of elongated channels adapted to receive said spaced parallel rails of said table frame, the channels having wide side wall members, said wide side wall members hav ing transversely alined apertures therein, a pivot forming bar slidably mounted on the table member and keyed to said channels, said bar having 1' hook-shaped ends movable through the apertures in said walls of the channels in forming in conjunction with the channels pivotal supports for the table member upon either of said rails, and means on the hook ends of said bar retaining the bar in neutral position and the table member against swinging movement on saidrail.

3. In a table of the class described employing a base having a table supporting frame, said frame having spaced parallel rails, a table member arranged upon the table frame, said table member having a pair of elongated channels adapted to receivesaid spaced parallel rails of said table frame, the channels having wide side wall members, said wide side wall members having transversely alined apertures therein, apivottion and the table member against swinging movement on-said rail, and means comprising a link pivoted to the table member and slidably pivoted to the :table frame for supporting the table member in different inclined positions when swung on either of its pivots.

, 4. In tables of the class described employing a base having a top frame part, a table member, the top frame part having a pair of spaced parallel rails, the table member having channel strips arranged longitudinally of and housing said rails, and means movably supported on the table member and cooperating with said channel strips and saidrails for forming in conjunction with said strips fixed pivotal mountings of the table member on either of said rails.

5. In tables of the class described employing a base having atop frame part, a table member, the top frame part having a pair of spaced parallel rails, the table member having channel strips arranged longitudinally of and housing said rails, means movably supported on the table member and cooperating with said channel strips'and said rails for forming in conjunction with said strips fixed pivotal mountings of the table member on either of said rails, and said last named means including means retaining the table member against swinging movement on said rails in one position of said means.

6. In tables of the class described employing a base having a top frame part, a table member, the top frame part having a pair of spaced parallel rails, the table member having channel strips arranged longitudinally of. and housing said rails, means movably supported on the table member and cooperating with said channel strips and said rails for forming in conjunction with said strips fixed pivotal mountings of the table member on either of said rails, said last named means including means retaining the table member against swinging movement on said rails in one position of said means, said top frame including an elongated strap, and means movably coupled with said strap and said table member for supporting the table member in different positions of inclination with respect to either of said rails.

7. In tables of the class described employing a base having a top frame part, a table member, the top frame part having apair of spaced parallel rails, the table member having channel strips arranged longitudinally of and housing said rails, means movably supported on the table member and cooperating with said channel strips and said rails for forming in conjunction with said strips fixed pivotal mountings of the table member on either of said rails, said last named means ineluding means retaining the table member against swinging movement on said rails in one position of said means, said top frame including an elongated strap, means movably coupled with said strap and said table member for supporting the table member in diiierent positions of inclination with respect to either of said rails, and said means comprising a link pivoted to the table member and slidably engaging a notched portion of said strap.

8. In tables of the class described employing a base having a top frame part, a table member, the top frame part having a pair of spaced parallel rails, the table member having channel strips arranged longitudinally of and housing said rails, means movably supported on the table member and cooperating with said channel strips and said rails for forming in conjunction with said strips fixed pivotal mountings of the table member on either of said rails, said last-named means including means retaining the table member against swinging movement on said rails in one position of said means, said top frame ineluding an elongated strap, means movably coupled with said strap and said table member for supporting the table member in different positions of inclination with respect to either of said rails, said means comprising a link pivoted to the table member and slidably engaging a notched portion of said, strap, and the coupling of the link with the notched strap comprising a spring pressed head pin locking the link on the notched strap in one position thereof.

9. In a table member of the class described, a pair of spaced table supports arranged adjacent and extending longitudinally of side edges'of the table member, members extending longitudinally of side edges of the table member engaging said supports, and means adjustable transversely of the table member and cooperating with said members in forming a pivotal mounting of the table member independently on each of said supports.

10. In a table member of the class described, a pair of spaced table supports arranged adjacent and extending longitudinally of side edges of the table member, members extending longi-' tudinally of side edges of the table member engaging said supports, means adjustable transversely of the table member and cooperating with said members in forming a pivotal mounting of the table member independently on each of said supports, and means movably coupled with the table member and said supports for adjustably supporting the table member in inclined position when pivoted on either of said supports. DAVID GREENE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,057,958 Hallock Apr. 1, 1913 1,073,991 Jones Sept. 23, 1913 1,133,804 Kaufman Mar. 30, 1915 1,295,680 Benson Feb. 25, 1919 1,838,352 Anderson Dec. 29, 1931 1,867,763 Rose July 19, 1932 1,883,974 vKusterle Oct. 25, 1932 1,932,543 Dow Oct. 31, 1933 2,063,781 Ball Dec. 8, 1936 2,252,215 Stearns Aug. 12, 1941 2,260,732 Anderson et al Oct. 28, 1941 2,445,048 Wallace July 13, 1948 

